16-07-16: Shamrock Rovers (a) 3-0 (HT 2-0) Crowd (4,000) (Formation 4-1-3-2)

The second game of the tour took place at Tallaght Stadium on 16th July 2016 with a 3pm kick-off, and while Rob Green was now available to make his Leeds debut, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi were still not fit. There was a large contingent of Leeds supporters in the crowd of about 4,000 and, in the bright afternoon sun, United's starting team looked almost like Garry Monk's first choice as he persisted with his 4-1-2-3 formation and lined up: Rob Green; Alex Purver, Kyle Bartley, Souleymane Bamba, Charlie Taylor; Ronaldo Vieira; Matt Grimes, Jordan Botaka; Kemar Roofe, Marcus Antonsson, Chris Wood. While Shamrock Rovers started with: Barry Murphy; Trevor Clarke, David Webster, Darragh Gibbons, Shane Hanney, Gary McCabe, Aaron Bulger, Richard Purdy, Sean Boyd, Gareth McCaffrey, James Doona. In the first minute Kemar Roofe carved out an opening for Marcus Antonsson, but unfortunately he volleyed wide with a left-footed shot. It did not take long for Marcus Antonsson to celebrate his starting debut with a goal in the seventh minute. Ronaldo Vieira was soon prominent and in the fourth minute, after winning possession he strode forward to let fly from twenty-five yards, but it lacked direction and flew over the bar. This did not deter the seventeen-year-old and after he had again won possession in midfield from Aaron Bulger, he again pressed forward before picking out his new teammate, Marcus Antonsson, with a beautifully weighted through ball for the Swede to slot the ball past the Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper, Barry Murphy, from just inside the penalty area in the seventh minute. The home side tried to get back on terms but were unable to trouble Rob Green in the early stages until Gareth McCaffery sent in a shot from distance which was well wide. United started to get on top and could have doubled their lead in the twenty-first minute when Chris Wood rattled the post on the turn from twelve yards, after Kemar Roofe had seized upon a wayward clearance by Barry Murphy. The former Oxford man was looking lively on the left and had a shot from long range which went over before creating a chance for Marcus Antonsson, who saw his shot blocked after he had twisted clear of his marker. Roofe was again involved as Leeds doubled their lead in the thirty-third minute, when after good work by Jordan Botaka, whose shot was blocked but found its way to Roofe and a clumsy challenge in the box by Trevor Clarke pulled him down and gave Chris Wood the chance to calmly convert from the spot, sending Barry Murphy the wrong way. It should have been three just before the half-time whistle blew, as first Marcus Antonsson put Roofe's dangerous cross over the bar and then Roofe did well to get in a shot from an acute angle which deserved better than cannoning back off the near post. It was Roofe's last contribution in the match as he gave way to Hadi Sacko, while Kyle Bartley made way for Paul McKay at half-time. The Dublin side also made two changes at half-time as Eoghan Morgan came on for Shane Hanney and Eoin Stokes replaced Trevor Clarke. The home side made two more changes six minutes into the second half as Jamie Aherne came on for Gareth McCaffery and Dean Dillon replaced Sean Boyd. Rob Green was finally tested as Gary McCabe extended him in the fifty-third minute with a well hit shot but United immediately went on the attack and Matt Grimes was denied by the woodwork as his fine shot from twenty-five yards hit the crossbar in the fifty-fifth minute. It was just ten minutes into the second half when United did find the net for their third goal. Charlie Taylor's cross from the left wing was deflected into the path of the unmarked Marcus Antonsson and he made no mistake as he guided his header past Barry Murphy from six yards. Then Hadi Sacko was denied by the legs of the home keeper as United chased a fourth before Garry Monk decided to change the other nine of his starting eleven as he sent on goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, Right Back Lewie Coyle, Toumani Diagouraga in Central Defence, Tyler Denton at Left Back, Kalvin Phillips as defensive midfielder, with Luke Murphy and Alex Mowatt taking the attacking midfield roles, while Eoghan Stokes and Souleymane Doukara took the two remaining strikers roles. Luke Murphy took over as Captain on the departure of Souleymane Bamba. The sixty- fourth minute saw three more changes by the home side as James Hamilton came on for James Doona, Richie English replaced Richard Purdy and Sean Callan took over from Aaron Bulger. Both Tyler Denton and Eoghan Stokes, in the seventy-third minute, threatened with shots from outside the box, and forced Barry Murphy to save, before the hosts came the nearest yet to scoring, when substitute Jamie Aherne was inches wide of the far post with a low drive. Rovers made their final three changes in the seventy-fourth minute with keeper Barry Murphy giving way to Michael Quinn, while Cian Collins came on for David Webster and Harry Cornally replaced Darragh Gibbons. Michael Quinn soon found himself earning his keep when a series of fine saves stopped Souleymane Doukara from scoring, in the eighty-third minute, then some slick play by Luke Murphy and Alex Mowatt combined to open the Shamrock defence and give Hadi Sacko a chance, in the eighty-sixth minute, and it could have been four or more for the visitors. Hadi Sacko continued to be the main source of worry to the home team and twice in the final minutes he forced Michael Quinn to repeat his brilliance and had it not been for the two Shamrock Rovers goalkeepers it could have been double figures.

Programme, Teamsheet & Ticket:

Courtesy Kenny Sharpe http://www.leedsunitedprogrammeguide.co.uk/Index.html

MATCH REPORT: Shamrock Rovers: 16-07-2016

Friendly - Tallaght Stadium Saturday July 16th 2016

Shamrock Rovers (0) 0 : 3 (2) Leeds United Antonsson (7' 73') Wood (Pen 31')

Shamrock Rovers hosted an entertaining friendly today at Tallaght Stadium against English Championship side Leeds United. There was a great atmoshpere amongst a big crowd of more than 4,000. Rovers had the first attack of the game down the left hand wing, Trevor Clarke who slotted into left back but his cross wasn't enough to test the Leeds defence early on. We didn't have to wait long for the first goal of the game, however! Leeds broke down the right hand wing and skillful midfielder Ronald Viera got a lot of space and he found an unmarked Marcus Antonsson who tapped the ball beyond Barry Murphy to give Leeds the early lead. Rovers had their own chances, however, one coming from a shot from Gareth McCaffrey as the shot zipped on past Rob Green's goal. A sign of how dangerous the Hoops can be! Things got even better for the English side as Trevor Clarke brought down Kemar Roofe with a high foot in the penatly area and referee Rob Rogers pointed to the spot. Chris Wood stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom left hand corner to double Leeds' advantage. Rovers kept the attacks down to a minimum throughout the end of the first half, the sides went in at the break with Leeds winning 2-0. The sides returned for the second half which was much similar to the first half, Leeds were showing their quality throughout and it was a good solid test for the younger side of Rovers. Leeds did, however, get their third just on the 55th minute mark. A fine cross from Bamba found Marcus Antonsson who headed beyond Barry Murphy, where Murphy could do nothing but accept it. Rovers made changes throughout the game with Clarke putting in a solid 45 minutes to be replaced by Morgan, who was out to impress. Rovers made changes at the top too, as our hero from the Dublin Derby, Sean Boyd was replaced by another top talent in Jamie Aherne. Aherne went so close to grabbing a goal back for Rovers just on the 73rd minute mark, but his shot from a tight angle goes wide of the goal. Leeds pressed more, but felt like the 3-0 result was good enough so they soaked up the game and enjoyed time on the ball and the space given to them. Gary McCabe would have enjoyed his performance though, as he had a free role today in the centre of the park and found a lot of space throughout the game. Shamrock Rovers team: 1 Barry Murphy 20 Trevor Clarke 4 David Webster 5 Darragh Gibbons 2 Shane Hanney 7 Gary McCabe (Capt) 18 Aaron Bulger 24 Richard Purdy 19 Sean Boyd 9 Gareth McCaffery 22 James Doona Substitutes 30 Michael Quinn (Barry Murphy 74') 3 Sean Callan 6 Cian Collins (David Webster 74') 8 Eoghan Morgan 10 Richie English (Richard Purdy 65') 16 Jamie Hamilton (James Donna 65') 17 Jamie Aherne (Gareth McCaffrey 55') 23 Dean Dillon (Sean Boyd 55') 37 Harry Cornally (Darragh Gibbons 74')

MATCH REPORT: Yorkshire Evening Post by Phil Hay: 16-07-2016

Shamrock Rovers 0 Leeds United3

Two goals from Marcus Antonsson and a Chris Wood penalty rounded off Leeds United’s tour of Ireland with another victory. Antonsson claimed his first Leeds goals on seven and fifty-six minutes and Wood's penalty just after half-an-hour helped put to-day's friendly in Dublin beyond a young Shamrock Rovers side. They fielded an inexperienced line-up after their first team met Bohemians in a league match last night and they were unable to seriously trouble Garry Monk's side. Monk gave a start to goalkeeper Rob Green and the former England keeper was untroubled for an hour, save only for a shot from Gareth McCaffery which bounced past his right-hand post and an effort from Gary McCabe which flew straight at him. Antonsson broke the deadlock early on after a penetrating run from midfielder Ronaldo Vieira opened Rovers up and gave the Swede an easy finish from ten yards. Wood then hit the outside of the post before a foul by Trevor Clarke on Kemar Roofe gave him a chance from the penalty spoton thirty-one minutes. The forward sent keeper Barry Murphy the wrong way. Roofe who impressed throughout the first half, then hit the woodwork with a curling effort before being substituted at the interval and making way for Hadi Sacko. Leeds stretched Rovers in the second half and Matt Grimes was denied a goal when his long-range effort smashed off the underside of Murphy's crossbar on fifty-four minutes.But Antonsson struck again two minutes later as across from Charlie Taylor flicked off Wood and laid on a header at the back post. Sacko was then denied by a good save from Murphy before Monk introduced a raft of substitutes for the final stages of the match. Rovers almost pulled a goal back with sixteen minutes left but Jamie Aherne's effort slipped just wide. Leeds' win at Tallaght Stadium followed on from Wednesday's 2-1 vctory at Shelbourne and Monk's players will return to England tomorrow to begin preparing for nect week's friendlies at Guiseley and Peterborough United.

Leeds United : Green (Turnbull 65'); Purver (Coyle 65'), Bartley (McKay 46'), Bamba (Diagouraga 65'), Taylor (Denton 65'); Viera (Mowatt 65'), Grimes (Murphy 65') Botaka (Phillips 65'), Roofe (Sacko 46'); Antonsson (Stokes 65'), Wood (Doukara 65').

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; Clarke, Webster, Gibbons, Hanney, McCabe, Bulger, Purdy, Boyd, McCaffrey, Doona.

MATCH REPORT: Extra-Time: Jamie Headon: 16-07-2016

Friendly Report: Shamrock Rovers 0 - 3 Leeds United: Sat, Jul 16 2016

At a Glance

Leeds United completed their two-game pre-season tour of Ireland with a comfortable 3-0 win over a youthful Shamrock Rovers side at a sunny Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a brace from Marcus Antonsson and a 32nd minute penalty from Chris Wood. Leeds United completed their two-game pre-season tour of Ireland with a comfortable 3-0 win over a youthful Shamrock Rovers side at a sunny Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a brace from Marcus Antonsson and a 32nd minute penalty from Chris Wood. As expected given the close proximity of last night's 3-1 Dublin Derby win over bitter cross-city rivals Bohemians, Stephen Bradley opted to field a largely youthful Rovers starting eleven. Leeds on the other hand fielded a team with no little shortage of experience in a bid to get rid of any remaining rustiness that may be left over from the close season. That gulf in the age profile between the two sides would prove to be a telling factor in determining how this game panned out with the superior physicality of the Elland Road outfit being glaringly obvious throughout. It was Leeds who drew first blood with Marcus Antonsson giving them the lead after just six minutes. Rovers were very much the main contributor to their own downfall in this instance as debutant Aaron Bulger hesitated on the ball just inside his own half and was cheaply dispossessed by Ronald Viera. Viera then drove toward the home side's box and squared for Antonsson who made no mistake in sticking the opener past the hapless Barry Murphy. Less than fifteen minutes later Rovers were almost their own worst enemies again. On this occasion it was goalkeeper Murphy who gifted Leeds a chance with a sloppy clearance that fell into the path of Antonsson who teed up his strike partner Chris Wood inside the area. Wood swiveled and found space to get a shot away but thankfully for Rathfarnham native Murphy, the United number nine's effort cracked off the woodwork. But it wouldn't take long for a second to come for Leeds. With little over half an hour on the clock, Jordan Botaka's blocked shot found its way into the path of Wood who was closely courted by Trevor Clarke. Unfortunately for the ex-St Kevin's Boys schoolboy, referee Rob Rogers adjudged him to have raised a high foot on Kemar Roofe. New Zealand international Wood was the man entrusted with slotting home the spot-kick and that he duly he did to double the Yorkshire club's advantage. Stephen Bradley's men – who had failed to threaten Garry Monk's side's goal in any real meaningful manner with the exception of a Gareth McCaffrey snapshot which sailed just wide of Rob Green's right-hand post not long after Antonsson opened the scoring – looked deflated after the visitors grabbed their second and could very well of been even further in arrears before the half was out. One man who was proving to be particularly troublesome for them was United's new acquisition from Oxford United, Roofe. A mazy run down the left flank saw the 23-year-old pull the ball back for Antonsson who blazed over from close range whilst just two minutes later he nearly finished off the first period by notching a goal of his own. With just a minute to go before the interval, the former West Brom trainee cut inside and curled the ball toward the far corner but again the frame of the goal came to the hosts' rescue. Leeds started the second-half in similarly dominant fashion and just moments after a Matt Grimes pile driver rattled the Square End crossbar, the Championship side increased their cushion to three with Bamba crossing for Antonsson to head home and complete his brace. Leeds made nine changes for the final thirty minutes and with that – perhaps sensing there may have been a degree of vulnerability in the opposition given their dramatic change of personnel – Bradley's young charges threw caution to the wind in an approach that yielded mixed results. On the one hand they began posing more of a threat whilst in possession than they had been but on the other, they could of well found themselves on the end of an even bigger losing margin. Substitute Hadi Sacko – who proved to be a thorn in Rovers' side following his introduction in place of Roofe – had a triad of clear cut chances but thanks to the heroics of Murphy and his replacement Michael Quinn, the Hoops were saved from enduring what could have been a much heavier drubbing.